Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.

Finian McGrath

Question:

419 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the Government's silence at EU and UN level on the slaughter in Chechnya; and the Government's position regarding independence for the Chechen people. [19761/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I share the Deputy's concern about the current situation in Chechnya. A number of terrorist bombings in Chechnya and in neighbouring republics in recent months have caused significant loss of life, including a suicide bombing in Znamenskoye on 13 May which killed 60 people and another suicide attack on a hospital in Mozdok on 1 August, which resulted in the deaths of 52 people. There are, at the same time, continuing and credible reports of human rights violations by Russian troops against Chechen civilians.

Beginning with the adoption of a new constitution for Chechnya in March 2003, the Russian Federation has made a concerted effort to build the basis of a new political system in the republic. A technical mission from the OSCE's Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, ODIHR, noted the numerous expressions of hope from voters that the referendum would lead to a political process and bring peace and stability. On the basis of the March constitution, a presidential election will take place in Chechnya on 5 October, and it is to be hoped that this will mark a fresh start for the Chechen people. The incoming president will need to secure the trust of the Chechen people if he or she is to be successful in bringing peace, stability and reconciliation to the region. Ireland and its EU partners believe that only a political solution will bring lasting peace to Chechnya.

Ireland recognises the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, and acknowledges the right and responsibility of its government to fight against terrorism and crime, and to protect its population. However, the fight against terrorism, in the Russian Federation as elsewhere, must be conducted in accordance with internationally-accepted human rights standards.

As I stated in reply to a parliamentary question on 29 May last, Ireland, together with its partners in the European Union, supports continued dialogue with the Russian Federation on the situation in Chechnya. Ireland has raised the issue of human rights violations in Chechnya bilaterally with the Russian Federation through diplomatic channels. It has also raised the issue in a number of international fora including the European Union and the OSCE and, in March 2003, at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, UNCHR, in Geneva. The Taoiseach expressed Ireland's concerns about the situation in Chechnya to President Putin at the EU-Russia Summit in St. Petersburg on 31 May 2003.

I recognise the great interest and concern here in Ireland with regard to the situation in Chechnya. As will be clear, this interest and concern is shared by the Government. I will continue to work in all available fora to promote lasting peace and reconciliation there, in the interests of the Chechen people.

Finian McGrath

Question:

420 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in 2002 in Gaza, 50 Palestinians under the age of eight were killed by Israeli soldiers; and if he will raise this issue at the UN and EU meetings. [19762/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The Government has repeatedly expressed its deep concern at the killing of innocent civilians and the violence which has led to the large number of deaths of children in the current conflict. The Government has made these concerns known directly to the participants on numerous occasions. The Government accords a very high priority to a final and comprehensive settlement of this problem. The Deputy may recall that, as a member of the Security Council, Ireland co-sponsored Security Council Resolution 1435 on 24 September 2002, which addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, among other things, reiterated the need for respect in all circumstances for international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

In my statement of 27 September 2002, I called on the government of Israel to immediately comply in full with the requirements of Resolution 1435 and to conduct itself in a manner which is fully consistent with international humanitarian law. I have also called repeatedly for an end to terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians which have resulted in the deaths of many Israeli children. This remains the position of the Government and, as such, is consistently advocated by Ireland in meetings of the European Union, the United Nations and other relevant international bodies.